The Consulate General of Nigeria has issued a movement advisory to Nigerians in Benoni.
This comes after the death of a 44-year-old Nigerian national who succumbed to his injuries after he was allegedly attacked by local taxi drivers.
The man, identified as Chinwuko Ugochukwu Augustine, was assaulted on December 21 because of allegations that he sold drugs in the Benoni CBD. He was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.
According to Captain Nomsa Sekele, spokesperson for the Benoni SAPS, a case of murder was opened at the Benoni SAPS and investigations are ongoing. Sekele said that to date no one had been arrested.
A letter issued by the association advised Nigerians to stay off the streets if possible and to practise increased security.
The association also said it will continue to work with leaders of the Nigerian community, the Benoni Taxi Association, the SAPS, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and the CPF to ensure that the attacks are not only stopped but thoroughly investigated and justice duly served.
A group of Nigerians went to Benoni SAPS on December 22 to raise their grievances after the death of their fellow national.
Speaking anonymously to the City Times, a group of Nigerian nationals told the City Times that they feel under attack as they have been painted with the same brush of being ‘drug dealers’.
“We are harassed daily by the taxi drivers just because we are Nigerian nationals. We can’t walk freely on the streets because we are searched and called drug dealers for no reason. Not all of us are drug dealers,” they said.
Another Nigerian, Walee Adewale, who is part of the Nigerian Citizen Association, said they are running legitimate businesses in Benoni so they are not scared because the taxi drivers are targeting drug dealers.
Also Read: Taxi drivers go after vagrants at Benoni plaza
He said the only solution to ending the attacks on Nigerians living in Benoni is that the Nigerian community should work together to stop the drug trade.
The Benoni Taxi Association previously told the City Times that their clean-up operation aimed to target drug dealers and users whom they believe were responsible for the crimes committed in the Benoni CBD.
In November, local taxi drivers armed with sjamboks and knobkerries dispersed vagrants, some of them believed to be drug addicts occupying the dilapidated building, Benoni Plaza.
Also Read:: WATCH: Taxi drivers ramp up efforts to clean plaza
